Post Op Pain meds - what did you get?

I had Dilaudid pca pump post-op and when they took the pump away, they gave me 2 Percecet every 4 hours. Came home with percecet also. My doctor said to altinate(sp) the percecet and advil 600 mg. I do not need the percecet anymore. I take advil PM before going to bed. I am having problems sleeping.

My dr also dislikes the PCA pump (I had it in 1993 after C-section, different doctor) and I disliked morphine or anything with oxycontin/oxycodone in it. He prescribed Lortab (hydrocodone) the 75/500 pills, 1-2 every 4 hours as needed. I started taking it the evening of my surgery by mouth as I had no nausea and the IV was just for fluids and antibiotics.

Somewhere in my anesthesia crowded mind the next evening I thought it was 1-2 every 12 hours and failed to ask for any (since it was "as needed" it was not brought to me on a schedule, just when requested, but I goofed it) and I had a rough night. Got that all cleared up when the dr made rounds the next morning and I felt stupid. I never let the pain get ahead of me after that. He then ordered the Advil every 4 hours regardless and I took it !

I also had the On-Q pain buster ball filled with Marcaine, but either I was allergic to it, or (my true thought) is that the cathether wasn't working properly. Once I had it out after the second night, I felt tons better.

I was sent home on the 6th with the same Rx for Lortabs and to take Motrins or Advils 600 mg in between needing the Lortab. Now at 9 days post op I am taking 1 Lortab around lunch, the Advil next if needed, then 2 Lortabs at bedtime. This way I get more relaxed for sleep and hopefully will not hurt too much in the morning when I wake up. If I do, I will take either the Advil or 1/2 of a Lortab (the are scored down the middle and break easily).

I will re-evaluate meds with the dr at my 2 week post op on 7/15.

I remember when I came home with my son 5 days after the C-section all I had a script for was Super Tylenol (I think it was 800mg?). What a difference.

I think only an anesthesiologist could work that out for you.

Most pain medicines are opiates. I believe that Fentanyl is the strongest, then morphine, followed by a bunch of others - vicodin, oxycontin, codeine, demerol, darvon, percocet, etc. They are all related. If you are severely allergic to one, they will have to carefully consider whether you could take any other opiates. Most common side effects are itching and vomiting. Allergic reaction is more serious - like you described, throat closing up, breathing problems.

The other group of pain medicines are NSAIDS, like Motrin,/Advil/Ibuprofen, aspirin, Toradal (I think), Alleve/Naproxen

I'm no doctor so I don't know whether there's some third group that is rarely used. But I don't know that you can get an answer from anyone but a professional.

I just happened to look that stuff up the other day because I always barf a lot on opiates, and was hoping for some other medication.

Thank you everyone!! that does help a lot.

I am horribly allergic as well. I did not use a PCA pump. Right before surgery an epidural was inserted. Not the kind where you are unable to move your legs, but something for pain control. I'm sorry, but I can't remember what was in it. It worked great. When it was removed I was very sore. I tried Tylenol with codeine and got sick from that. When I left the hospital I used 4 motrin every 6 hours and alternated that with 2 xtra strenggh tylenol every 4 hours. Pain was managable.

Good luck!

I had a dose of morphine immediately post op. After that, my pain was very manageable with darvocet.